Sutton and District Referees Society

Abuse at Grassroots football

2008-04-18T16:10:00.000Z

Sky Sports News is investigating the abuse of referees at grassroots level and we want YOUR stories.

As part of our State of the Game series, our Chief News Reporter Dan Roan is looking at the issue of referees and the physical and verbal abuse they receive when they are officiating in grassroots games.

Are you a referee who has been physically assaulted by a player during a game? Would you be willing to talk to us about your experiences? Simply e-mail us at skysportsclub@bskyb.com.

We also want to hear from those on the other side of the abuse. Are you a player who has verbally or physically assaulted a referee and would now like to repent?

We want to know why you did it, whether or not it was a one-off and what punishment you received.

Simply email us at Sky Sports News with your stories and contact details and we could feature you on air as part of our State of the Game campaign.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11096_3422510,00.html

Surrey FA County Office

2008-04-18T10:44:00.000Z

The County Office will close at 3.00pm on Monday 21st April for staff training.
It will be open as usual on Tuesday from 9.00am.

Mark Wood - Assistant Secretary

Uefa stand up to be counted

2008-04-17T19:27:00.000Z

The wind of change is sweeping through football on the issue of player behaviour and Uefa are determined not to be left behind.

While Uefa president Michel Platini has already said that this summer's Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland would be used to highlight the need for more respect within the game, his organisation have now instructed referees to implement clarified directives.

At a workshop last week referees officiating in the summer were handed a six-point list.

One of the main thrusts was over the relationship between players and match officials.

The instructions are pretty clear: "Referees can accept a spontaneous expression of frustration from players, but will firmly sanction players who show dissent to the referees by word or action.

"Any players involved in mass confrontation have to realise that the main protester(s), including any who run over to join in, will get a yellow card."

Refs have been ordered to "act firmly (red card) against challenges involving excessive force including the illegal use of arms and elbows".

It's not just players that have to watch their behaviour: "If a coach openly criticises the referee, action will be taken to curb his behaviour."

Luckily for British players they have the summer off to watch how these new directives are enforced, but for the rest - you have been warned.

Expect some card action from the boys in black.

RE: Referee Required 15th April 18:15 KO

2008-04-11T17:01:00.000Z

Thank You for all those who Volunteered, The game has now been covered.

Regards

Simeon Potter

Sutton & District Referee Society AGM

2008-04-08T23:02:00.000Z

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Just to remind everyone the April meeting is the AGM and it will be on Wednesday 23rd April and not our usual Second Weds of the month slot.

Hope to see you all there.

Regards

Simeon Potter

Assistant Referee Required

2008-04-06T20:48:00.000Z

I am looking for an assistant referee for this Saturday, 5th April, for an under 16’s game, Fulham v Watford at Motspur Park. The kick off is 11.00am.

If you can help either reply to this e-mail or call me on 01372 387 097

Many thanks
Mark

Mark Wood - Assistant Secretary
Surrey County Football Association Limited
Connaught House
36 Bridge Street
Leatherhead
Surrey
KT22 8BZ

IST - In Service Training

2008-04-06T08:55:00.000Z

To All Promotion Candidates

Please can you urgently advise me if it is your intention to attend the Introduction to the Promotion Scheme seminar, which has been organised for Monday 14 April 2008 at The Leatherhead Institute starting at 7.30pm?

If you have already advised David Dixon on this matter please accept my apologies.

Regards

Bruce McLaren

News from RA Sponsor PrestonSkirrow

2008-04-03T22:21:00.000Z

News from RA Sponsor PrestonSkirrow

Dear All,

RA Sponsor PrestonSkirrow have just sent out their April newsletter and have some stunning car offers for Referees’ Association Members. Not only do you get special deals, but the RA also receives a sponsorship payment for every car bought by our Members or their family and friends. Even better news, a portion of this payment will directly benefit your own Society.

To see the newsletter click the link below.

http://www.prestonskirrow.co.uk/NewsletterRAApril08.htm

You will also find a copy on the RA Website News section.

http://www.footballreferee.org/

PrestonSkirrow cater for all aspects of car sales from Company Car contract hire to private sales of new and up to twelve month old cars. PrestonSkirrow are also licensed credit brokers, so can arrange low-rate finance as well. So if you are thinking about changing your car give them a call – you have nothing to lose and potentially lots to gain.

Dave Skirrow

Ref required ...Thur 17th April 6pm k.o Paddington Rec,Maida Vale

2008-04-01T21:51:00.000Z

Fellow Refs,

A referee is required at Paddington Rec (very close to Maida Vale tube)...for a mens league match on thursday 17th April...fee is £30 and its on floodlit astroturf..the pitch is booked from 6-7.30 pm..so matches are usually about 35 mins each way.

So if you work in London and fancy a pleasant evening run out next week please email me asap....first come first served...

Best wishes

Neil
Email: n.mosley@imperial.ac.uk

Surrey Referee

RA Draw Tickets and Reminder of the AGM date for April

2008-04-01T21:34:00.000Z

Ladies and Gentlemen:

John Kasey has asked me send out a message that there still RA Draw tickets available.
Anyone wishing to obtain some please contact John by e-mail at johnkasey@hotmail.com

It is all in a good cause and half of any raised is given back to the society.
This would be a great way of supporting the RA and Society all together and have a chance of winning the Grand Prize. Please support if you can.

For all those you already have tickets and those who will have some in the near future! please return the tickets with monies at the
AGM meeting on Weds April 23rd.

(Note this replaces the normal 2nd Weds of the month meeting)

Regards

Simeon Potter

Les Harrington passed

2008-03-16T20:48:00.000Z

Les Harrington, Life Vice-President

It is with tremendous sadness that the death of Les Harrington is reported. Les passed away at midday on Monday 10th March after a long illness and brief stay in hospital. He was 78.

Les served the Association in many aspects starting as a referee before becoming a member of Division Three. Later, he became Divisional Advisory Secretary, Divisional Chairman, Assistant Referee’s Secretary, Referee’s Secretary and more recently Chairman of the Referee’s Committee. He was made a Vice-President and subsequently a Life Vice-President. He also served on the committee’s of Bletchingley FC, Nutfield FC and the Redhill & District FL of which he was a Vice-President.

Our thoughts are with his wife Jean and his two sons Graham and Andrew.

The funeral is at 3.00pm on Thursday, 20th March at Sussex & Surrey Crematorium, Balcombe Road , Worth, (between Horley and Crawley ). Family flowers only, donations to Leukaemia Research via Stoneman & Sons, Funeral directors, Doran Court , Reigate Road , Redhill , RH1 6AZ

Jean has given me permission to reveal that Les will leave us with the County Rulebook in his pocket.

Ray Ward - County Secretary

Surrey County Football Association Limited
Leatherhead

Visit our website at http://www.surreyfa.com

Registered in England No. 4176858

Vat Reg no. 212 0153 37

Reffing in Bermuda

2006-09-04T14:41:00.000Z

All the number plates on Bermuda's cars carry the slogan 'A different world' - and nowhere is this more true than in refereeing.

The only real similarity with England is the shortage of officials - double and even triple headers are the order of most weekends - beyond that everything is different both in the recreational league and at the top level.

Changing facilities at all but the national stadium are makeshift at best, most are just cupboards - giving pre-match instructions surrounded by crates of Heineken and Amstel Light was certainly a first for me. And there is no turning up in suits here, nor is it worth being there an hour before kick off as the gates will still be locked.

The 30-minute rule for teamsheets has only been adhered to once in my three years here - five minutes before or after kick off is the norm. The pre-match removal of jewellery is even more of an ordeal than usual due to the preponderance of bling, with diamond-studded earrings and multiple rings on both hands not unheard of.

The crowds for the big games here can be as large as 3,500 and the abuse of officials is rife, although the added edge of racism is never far from the pitch.

There are just four white officials and for a captain to say 'morning white boy' pre-toss is not unheard of, nor seen as offensive, at least not by the Bermuda Football Association.

More than a couple of players have been sent off for calling me a 'f***** white boy' and one was dismissed - as much for stupidity as anything else - for calling me a 'racist' after I gave a foul against him for a challenge on another black player!

Away from the top level, where the crowds are smaller and voices can be more clearly heard, people have threatened to burn my house down - I didn't have the heart to tell them I rent - 'machete my a***' and 'slit my throat'. All in a day's work for an official happy to give up a boat trip or day on the beach for $60 and 90 minutes of abuse.

One of the most biazarre aspects of my life in Bermuda has been the huge conflict of interests that no one seems to mind me getting away with. I work as a sports reporter at the newspaper in Bermuda so am required to cover the matches, the simple thing is to work as assistant referee, I am recording the times of the goals anyway, and send the report in afterwards. The Football Association don't mind and neither do my employers!

Bermuda has presented me with some wonderful opportunities, not the least of which have been the international friendlies. I have lined three or four finals - including two FA Cups, which looks good on my CV - and a good half a dozen internationals.

One highlight was giving Shaun Goater offside against Nicaragua - and then he complained about the decision the following week in his weekly column, which I ghostwrite!

I have also refereed New England Revolution - a top MLS team featuring some World Cup bound players including Clint Dempsey who scored against Ghana - against Bermuda Under 19s and lined games including Jamaica Under 20s and Santos reserves - Pele's old club.

My three years in Bermuda has seen me work with some excellent officials from our FiFA list and some terrible ones - one guy put down his flag to punch a noisy fan midway through the second half, another female official actually sat on a wall and talked to fans when play was away from her end and another supposedly senior linesman had a bizarre habit of flagging wildly during play to stop the game to allow for substitutions.

It's been an interesting time but I'm now ready to go home to proper grounds, less racial abuse although fewer international opportunities and much worse weather.

---

Dan Rutstein took up refereeing as a 14-year-old to follow in the footsteps of neighbour John Kasey. After a few years going through the junior programme in Surrey, he moved up to university in York where he refereed for six years before his journalism took away his weekends. He took up the whistle again in Bermuda and is set to return to the UK in October where a 9-5 job will allow him to officiate at home again.

Dan Rutstein
Deputy Sports Editor
Royal Gazette
Bermuda

EPSOM & EWELL YOUTH LEAGUE

2006-09-03T14:02:00.000Z

President – Dennis Rulton:
Chairman - David Goldsmith 020 8394 0490
General Secretary – Dick Page 01372 276678
Referees Secretary Steve Smith: - 30 Holland Avenue Cheam surrey SM2 6HU

14th July 2006
Dear Referee

Registration for the new season 2006 - 2007

To those referees registered with the league last season I would like to thank you, on behalf of the league, for your support during the 2005-06 season. The league values your contribution and trust that you will register again for the new season which will run from September 2006 to May 2007.

For those referees who were not registered with league last season, the league committee, clubs and fellow referees would value your support for this coming season.

Please find attached a referee registration form for the 2006 – 2007 season for your completion and return to me at the above address as soon as possible please, preferably by mid August. If you cannot commit to available dates for the whole season at this time please return the form with a suitable notation and then advise me of your available dates as soon as you can.

The form also gives you the opportunity to limit where you travel if you so wish, but obviously it would help the league if you were as flexible as possible. Please add any additional information you would like to on the reverse of the form - and when you do allocate dates to the league please remember to keep a record.

Matches are played on Saturday mornings for Under 8 to Under 11 and Sunday mornings for Under 12 to Under 17 inclusive. Kick off times are generally between 9.45 and midday, but there is the occasional later kick off on Sundays – but no later than 2.00pm.

The league continues to promote the highest standards of refereeing, recruit and retain referees and to promote best practices in all aspects of youth football. I trust that you will support these objectives.

Please feel free to call me (at the indicated times below) before or during the season if you would like to discuss any aspect of your refereeing.

Please also ask any refereeing colleagues who would like to referee for the league to contact me.

With very best wishes

Steve Smith

Telephone 020 8661 6249 Evenings (8 to 10pm) & Weekends
Mobile 07779 885418 Evenings (8 to10 pm) & Weekends
Email referees@eeyfl.org.uk

Secretary - John Kasey

2006-09-03T13:59:00.000Z

29 August 2006

Dear All

Now that the long hot Summer has passed it is time for the real football to start.

My thoughts on the World Cup were how disappointing it all was. The best players rarely showed their true ability and the matches were generally drab. I know everyone has their own ideas and you could use Touchlines to express these.

The first meeting is nearly upon us. I have invited Alex Neil a 22 year old Level 4 to come along and talk about fitness and the avoidance of injury.

The format of other meetings is outlined ( but not confirmed) on the Web site. Phil and I are going to a meeting on the 4 September to meet the other local Societies. The idea is to see if there is any scope in arranging a larger meeting and inviting bigger named guest speakers. Other matters will also be discussed and the outcome reported.

I received a letter from Peter Fenn to say that he is moving to West Sussex in the near future. He will be sorely missed as not only is he the RA Delegate but his own style always brightened up the monthly meeting. Good luck Peter.

Obviously, we need a replacement to Peter and offers are most welcome. The other Delegate is Gary Peach and the Society is asked to send two Representatives to bi-monthly meetings in Leatherhead.

Steve Smith, Secretary of the Epsom and Ewell Parks League has asked that we advertise their need for Officials as has the Surrey Intermediate League. If anyone is looking for a game there are plenty around!!

It was suggested that each of the Society Officers provide a Job Description. These are available in Touchlines. Please fell free to come forward to help at any time.

Again, I will re-iterate that the Society is here to help you and please use it as such.

I think that's about all, and see you on the 13th

John

Super Ref - Barrie Gale

2006-08-31T13:52:00.000Z

* FA Cup (Ex-Preliminary) - Reading Town v Thamesmead Town - Assistant
* FA Cup (Preliminary) - Sevenoaks Town v Moneyfields - Assistant
* FA Youth Cup (Preliminary) - Cobham v Godalming Town - Referee

A FEW WORDS FROM YOUR CHAIRMAN

2006-08-24T13:47:00.000Z

I hope everybody had a great Close season; holidays, World Cup Parties, etc and you are ready for the challenges that lie ahead. I am sure many of you have refereed some games already. Have you noticed any changes in player’s attitude Vis a Vis fair play? This is something I believe we should be really getting to grips with. There is no room for cheats, card wavers and anyone who treat officialdom with contempt. These people must be dealt with severely and removed from the game we love. I am sure we will here much more on this subject throughout the season.

Please come and support your society as much as you can. Your committee will be working hard throughout the year to ensure the monthly meetings are run effectively in providing knowledge, learning and entertainment.
Good luck to all those people who are going for promotion. Believe in your self and with a little bit of good fortune I am sure you will succeed.

Something we should all be proud of is that Sutton Referees Society is 30 years old. Yes we were founded in 1976. So well done us and perhaps we will have a drink at our Christmas Social to celebrate this milestone.

Unfortunately I will not be at the 1st meeting on the 13th September as I am away on holiday.

Welcome to the new season and see you all hopefully in October.

Happy Refereeing

Phil

Elizondo chosen as Cup final Referee

2006-07-06T23:36:00.000Z

Referee Horacio Elizondo, who sent off England striker Wayne Rooney against Portugal, will take charge of the World Cup final between Italy and France.

World Cup Referees - Kewell hit by Fifa charge

2006-06-19T12:12:00.000Z

Australia ace Harry Kewell has been charged by Fifa for insulting referee Markus Merk following their 2-0 defeat to

Brazil

Liverpool star Kewell is thought to have sworn at Merk in the aftermath of Sunday's 2-0 loss.

Kewell, who came off the bench in the game, was unhappy with Merk's officiating throughout the match and aimed a swipe at him.

Fifa have now decided to look into the incident and if found guilty Kewell could face a ban.

"Fifa have opened disciplinary procedures against Harry Kewell," said Fifa communications director Markus Siegler

"It was reported in the referee's report that he insulted the referee several times."

Kewell has until Tuesday to respond and if he is found guilty of misconduct he could miss his side's crucial last Group F game with Croatia.

Merk awarded 25 free-kicks to Brazil while Australia won only nine, but Kewell later defended the referee and said his behaviour after the final whistle was in the "heat of the moment".

"You're frustrated, you're losing the game, every referee puts up with it," said Kewell.

"I mean, it's part and parcel of the game. He knows there's no harm meant by it.

"You go out there and play so well against the world champions and you come off losing, whereas you think you should have come off with something. He understands that, that's the way it is.

"It was a hard match to referee, and he did a good job."

World Cup

2006-06-18T10:50:00.000Z

It is just before England v Brazil at the World Cup. Ronaldino goes into the Brazilian changing room to find all his teammates looking a bit glum.
"What's up?" he asks.
"Well, we're having trouble getting motivated for this game. We know it's important but it's only England. They're sh*te and we can't be bothered".
Ronaldino looks at them and says "Well, I reckon I can beat these by myself, you lads go down the pub."
So Ronaldino goes out to play England by himself and the rest of the Brazilian team go off for a few jars.
After a few pints they wonder how the game is going, so they get the landlord to put the teletext on. A big cheer goes up as the screen reads "Brazil 1 - England 0 (Ronaldino 10 minutes)".
He is beating England all by himself!
Anyway, a few more pints later and the game is forgotten until someone remembers "It must be full time now, let's see how he got on". They put the teletext on.

"Result from the Stadium"
Brazil 1 (Ronaldino 10 minutes) - England 1 (Owen 89 minutes)".

They can't believe it, he has single handedly got a draw against England!!
They rush back to the Stadium to congratulate Ronaldino.
They find him in the dressing room, still in his gear, sat with his head in his hands.
He refuses to look at them. "I've let you down, I've let you down." "Don't be daft, you got a draw against England, all by yourself. And they only scored at the very, very end!"

"No, No, I have, I've let you down... I got sent off after 12 minutes"

Failing World Cup refs face axe

2006-06-05T07:32:00.000Z

Referees' chief Keith Hackett says officials who fail to implement Fifa's eight-point hit-list will be ruthlessly dealt with at this summer's World Cup.

Fifa has told referees to get tough on several high-profile areas of concern, including diving and time-wasting.

Hackett told BBC Sport: "Referees know where they stand and are expected to carry out the rules Fifa has declared.

"If a referee doesn't carry out these instructions his chances of getting a second game are somewhat remote."

The International Football Association Board - football's ultimate law-making body - met in early March and told referees to clamp down on elbowing, reckless tackling, shirt pulling, time-wasting and diving.

It also urged referees to be vigilant over behaviour in the wall at free-kicks, players wearing jewellery and the attitude towards officials.

Elbowing and reckless tackling will result in straight red cards and Hackett, head of the Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOB), believes Fifa's clear guidelines will cut down on confusion for referees, fans and players.

He said: "When the referees' committee of Fifa says 'these are the various areas we want you to take on board and deal with in a very firm and consistent manner' then they will be highlighted and referees will be expected to perform.

"There is accountability; if a referee does not perform he is likely to be sent home - and it's as harsh as that."

Despite the clampdown, Hackett does not expect the new guidelines to lead to a spate of red and yellow cards because of the way the new instructions have been handled.

"There will be very tight control as to how referees operate. Fifa has gone down the eight areas of concern route so that players fully understand what is expected of them," explained Hackett.

The need for consistency is vital. Fifa president Sepp Blatter said it is paramount there is better refereeing in 2006 than in the 2002 tournament in Japan and South Korea.

With that in mind, the 23 World Cup referees have been meeting regularly in the build-up to ensure they are all of the same mindset.

Hackett stated: "In bringing the referees together like this and having them reside in one venue during the World Cup, the mode of operation is very tight and it's easier to get consistency.

"The aim is to get a uniformity to interpretation and that is easier in a tournament environment."

Fifa hopes the meticulous preparation will mean the usual cries of inconsistent refereeing and confusion over the application of laws do not plague Germany 2006.

In previous tournaments many games have finished with 10 against 11, or worse, but Hackett is confident the powers-that-be have done all they can to get their message across.

However, he warned coaches that they still have a big responsibility to make sure their players know exactly what to expect.

"The referees' committee will meet with the managers and coaches again and it's incumbent on the coaching staff to talk to their players and prepare them," he said.

Hackett is also convinced that England players - and English-based players - have an advantage because Premiership referees have been following the guidelines all season.

"The list shows some of the things we have focused on and worked on with the Professional Footballers' Association to improve the game in England," he said.

"We have worked hard with players and managers in England so average cards per game is about three.

"In the opening games of the World Cup that is likely to be higher because of the vigilance of referees and the fact that players and managers are under close scrutiny.

"But these are the most stringent areas of preparation that referees have been put through for a World Cup. There has been a lot of behind-the-scenes work."

Beckham - Alone Ranger

2006-05-23T21:28:00.000Z

David Beckham says he's afraid to have friends anymore because he doesn't know who'll sell their story to the papers.

Speaking at his charity World Cup party last night, Becks admitted he realised how out of control his life had become when he was snapped kissing a fan who'd asked for his autograph, and the papers blew it out of proportion.

"They're very touchy feely over here. That was one of the problems with the story where the girl was getting my autograph because in Spain it's rude if you don't do two kisses. There's been so many people who've sold lies. It's nearly killed all of us - our whole family."

(22 May, 2006, 4:47PM) SOURCE: ANANOVA

Refs to use new radio technology

2006-05-23T13:03:00.000Z

Refs to use new radio technology

Referees' chief Keith Hackett has confirmed that Premiership officials
will use new radio communication technology during matches next season.

The system allows referees to talk to their assistants using a
microphone link and will be used by World Cup officials during the
summer.

Hackett told BBC Sport: "The communication system will be in place in
the Premiership next season.

"These are aids that will improve the standards of refereeing."

Former referee Hackett is now head of the Professional Game Match
Officials Board (PGMOB) and he is confident the new system will be
beneficial.

He added: "The referee has an open mic, his two assistants and fourth
official can hear what is being said by him so they can have an insight
into the feel of the game.

"The referee can ask questions to his assistants with a push-to-talk mic
system that can be used to talk to the referee.

"It has lots of benefits - the most important being speed of
communication.

"Graham Poll is one of the people who has been field-testing this both
with ourselves and with UEFA.

"Graham and his assistants Philip Sharp and Glenn Turner have been very,
very praiseworthy about it."

Poll and his assistants will use the equipment in Germany next month -
before the technology is introduced to Premiership officials for the
start of the new season.

A Premier League spokesman said: "It will be used in a similar format to
that used in the World Cup where the four officials will use the
push-to-talk system.

"We and Keith Hackett hope that it will improve the communication
between officials and it is a positive step for the game."

The system has already been tested in the Premiership during the Fulham
against Bolton game in November.

Poll was the man in the middle then and he has also used the link-up in
Champions League matches.

Football follows other sports such as both codes of rugby and cricket in
adopting the technology.

Final linesman denies Barca bias

2006-05-16T13:17:00.000Z

One of the linesmen for the Champions League final has protested his impartiality after being photographed in a Barcelona shirt on Monday.

Norwegian Ole Hermann Borgan wore the shirt for a photoshoot with his local newspaper, Drammens Tidende.

"There is no reason to doubt my impartiality - I don't support either of the teams," Borgan said.

Uefa has no plans to replace Borgan for the final in Paris on Wednesday, a spokesperson told BBC Sport.

Arsenal have refused to comment on the story before their manager, Arsene Wenger, gives his pre-match news conference at 1645 BST on Tuesday.

The newspaper wanted Borgan to wear both Arsenal and Barcelona shirts for the photoshoot, according to its sports editor Per Jan Brekke.

There is an unwritten rule that officials must not do anything which will cast doubt on their impartiality

But the official found out he only owned a Barca shirt - and this was the picture that appeared in Tuesday's edition of the paper.

"It was both insensitive and stupid of me. I did not think deeply enough about the situation and the consequences when I was asked to dress up in the shirt," Borgan said.

The officials for the final will all be Norwegian, with Terje Hauge the main man in charge. Steinar Holvik and Borgan will run the lines.

"We are on our way to Paris to do a good job - nothing more, nothing less," Borgan said.

Norway's referees chief, Rune Pedersen, agreed that Borgan had been unwise to pose in the shirt.

"There is an unwritten rule that officials must not do anything which will cast doubt on their impartiality," he said.

Referee required for Sutton United charity match on Friday 12th May

2006-04-26T15:54:00.000Z

I am currently looking for a referee for a charity match taking place at Gander Green Lane on Friday 12th May (k.o. 7.30pm)

As this is a fund raising game and is part of our agreement with SUFC to supply match officials for such games in return for the use of their facilities there is no fee for the game but I am sure that club will look after you after the game hospitality wise

The game would ideally suit a level 4 or 5 referee (possibly a 6)

Any body interested in helping out please do drop me a line

Many thanks and kindest regards,

Barrie Gale
Sutton United Liaison Officer

6-A-Side

2006-04-25T21:26:00.000Z

I have finally heard back from the organiser and the SCRA 6-a-side will be on Sunday 4th June at Mole Valley Predators ground near Leatherhead.

I appreciate that this is very short notice, but with the interest shown I do not want to miss the opportunity of entering a team for the event if at all possible.

Remember it's a day of FUN!

Could I please ask you to get back to me by ASAP with an answer on whether you are willing to play for YOUR society.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards

Simeon